barking and digging

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Thank you for any help you can offer.

We have two dogs, a Lab and a hound-mix. They both bark at anything and the hound likes to dig.

For the barking we have tried both the 'shock' collars and the citronella collars with litte effect. For the digging, we have tried putting their feces where they are digging (he just digs somewhere else) and allowing digging under a deck (this got way out of hand!).

What suggestions can you make that we can try to lessen the barking and digging.

Mike Long
yeshua1962@yahoo.com
Answer -
Dear Mike,

Thanks for writing!  I have a couple of questions for you, to try to make sure I understand your situation and thus be able to answer your question more thoroughly.  It does sound like you have a difficult situation, and I can understand your frustration!

You don't say how old your dogs are, or whether they are strictly outdoor pets, or if they are sometimes kept indoors.  That may have some bearing on how I'd suggest you deal with the problems you're experiencing.

Also, do they seem to be barking at anything in particular, or just barking to be barking even when there is nothing to be seen?  Do they seem to bark more at a particular time of day (or night)?  Is there something on the other side of the fence (or under the deck) they may be trying to get at?

Very best,
Francesca

Francesca;

Both dogs are male, 6-8 years old, indoor dogs who spend a lot of time in a big yard. They bark at anything, at anytime. Sometimes they seem to be barking just for the heck of it. As I'm writing this, the Lab laying on the florr barking at whop knows what. Often it is obvious what they are barking at; like a neighbor that they have know their whole lives!

Basically they are equal oportuity barkers! They bark day and night whether they can see or hear anything or not.

Thanks again, Mike

Answer
Dear Mike,

I can only imagine the noise level in your household!  However, given the age of your dogs, the solution will not be simple.  Don't even bother with the gimmicks (electronic collars, citronella collars, etc).  They simply will not work on dogs for whom this behavior has become habit (if indeed they work at all).  The only way to stop these particular behaviors is by re-training your dogs the old-fashioned way.

First, let's start off with the understanding that barking is how dogs communicate.  If they are barking excessively, there is a reason for it.  We mere humans don't always understand the reason, though.  Usually it is related to the dogs believing that they are in charge of the household.  Remember, dogs have their own social hierarchy, and humans are normally not part of it.  You have to change that, and it's not going to be easy given their ages.  You have to prove to them that YOU are the alpha dog.

I'm not sure what kind of obedience training you may have undergone for the dogs, but I think you first need to start off with some very SERIOUS obedience training.  Think, doggie boot camp.

Given their ages and how long this has been continuing,  I would get muzzles for the dogs.  Take them to your local pet store to ensure you get a proper fit.  When the dogs start barking excessively or for no apparent reason, place them in muzzles.  This may seem cruel to some people, but I assure you that it is harmless to the dogs, far less cruel than shocking them with electricity, and far more likely to work.  When they stop trying to bark, wait a few minutes, remove the muzzles, and give them positive attention (I do not advocate treats in training to remove bad behavior, because some dogs will learn that they can get treats by repeating the forbidden behavior - this puts them even more firmly in charge!)   Instead, simply spend "fun" time with the dog and make the dog feel positive through actions, tone of voice, etc.  Put the muzzles back on whenever the behavior begins anew.  This will take a LOT of dedication on your part.  However, I assure you that a properly fitted muzzle used only as necessary will not harm your dogs, and it will teach them that you have the power to make them stop barking - they will not understand anything less at this point in time.  You should be able to decrease the time they are muzzled as the barking lessens, and hopefully discontinue the use of the muzzles altogether at a future time.

As for the digging, this is also normal dog behavior which is highly annoying to we humans (and possibly dangerous for the dogs, if they should get out and into an area where they could be harmed.)  I personally would suggest for any incorrigible diggers an outdoor run, not unlike something you would find in a kennel.  If they can't dig, they won't dig.  However, some people prefer that their dogs be allowed to run free within a certain perimeter, and that is understandable; I also prefer that.  If that is the case, I would strongly suggest that you prepare a time-out area for the dogs.  This could take the form of a crate or a pen - but make sure it has a floor where they cannot dig (and make absolutely sure they will not get overheated - it must be in the shade, and there must be plenty of water there at all times!)  When you find the dogs digging, confront them and tell them forcefully "NO!"  Then, immediately remove the offender to the time-out area for approximately 15 minutes.  This will take a lot of time and attention on your part, especially since you have previously permitted them to dig in designated areas, thus furthering their impression that digging is acceptable behavior.  You will obviously need to be with the dogs whenever they are outside so that you can spot the behavior immediately and take immediate steps.  If you don't do this consistently, it will not work.

And again, I must stress, obedience, obedience, obedience.  If you're unsure of how to train your dog, contact your veterinarian for the name of a local trainer.  You would be shocked at the difference some serious obedience training would make in your dogs' behavior.  However, whatever you do, once you start obedience training you must never slack off from the commands.  You must be in charge of these dogs' behavior at all times.  If you take away their belief that they are in charge, and make them understand that YOU are the alpha dog, they will begin to conform to what you demand as their master, and you will find yourself in a much happier, quieter (and hole-free) home.

I hope this was helpful to you, and wish you the best of luck!